Comment
New Local Plan: Spatial Options Document 2021
Representation ID: 40697
Received: 22/09/2021
Respondent: Bloor Homes
Agent: Barton Willmore LLP
We consider that the vision statement for Hawkwell includes many positive, important elements of where the strengths of the existing settlement can be developed particularly with regards to economic development, and access to nature reserves and ancient woodland.
This statement should be further developed to better account for access to green spaces for local people and emphasising improvements to the delivery of housing for existing and future residents.
Hockley and Hawkwell have many green spaces within and around the settlements that could be enhanced to encourage healthy and active lifestyles. Sensitive development within and around such areas has the potential to improve accessibility to meaningful
green spaces while providing positive ecological outcomes and as attractive places to live. This is fundamental to enhancing the role of Hockley and Hawkwell as the intended ‘gateway to the green lung of the Upper Roach Valley’.
Alongside this, it should be made clearer that improving housing affordability not only includes the delivery of dwellings formally classed as ‘affordable houses’ but also the appropriate mixture of market dwellings to ensure that market house prices are also in sufficient supply and not driven up further by a lack of supply.
Suggested additional text to the effect of the above is included below:
In 2050, Hockley and Hawkwell should be the District’s gateway to the green lung of the Upper Roach Valley, making the most of its access to local green spaces within and around the settlements , ancient woodland and a network of nature reserves. Its town and neighbourhood centres should be vibrant places with
an emphasis on independent businesses and providing for a diverse range of jobs. Deprivation should continue to be largely absent from Hockley and Hawkwell however housing affordability should have been addressed through the delivery of a sufficient supply of market dwellings and an appropriate mix and quantum of affordable housing tenures to ensure that local
first-time buyers can greater afford to live locally”
These representations have been prepared by Barton Willmore LLP on behalf of Bloor Homes (the ‘Promoters’). The Promoters have an active interest in a Site at Land North of Rectory Road, Hawkwell, which is identified in the Site Location Plan at Appendix 1.
This Site could provide much needed, deliverable residential development in a sustainable and appropriate location, and is considered suitable for allocation within the Rochford New Local Plan (RNLP).
1.2 This Report is submitted in response to the formal public consultation. Section 2 of this report provides comments on the Spatial Options Consultation Paper (SOCP)(2021); and Section 3 responds to the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA)(July 2021). These sections
are followed by Section 4, which provides an overview and assessment of the Site which is promoted for development at Land North of Rectory Road, Hawkwell.
1.3 A number of supplementary documents are appended to these representations which are referred to throughout. These include a landscape and visual appraisal (LVA) of the site (Appendix 2) of the site, and an indicative framework layout (Appendix 3). Additional
visuals are also included in appendices 4-9, which provide context and support to the LVA and indicative framework layout. A Transport Appraisal (with associated plans and figures) of the site is included within Appendix 10 confirming its sustainability in transport terms.
A Flood Risk and Drainage report is included within Appendix 11 which demonstrates how any flood risk and drainage matters associated with development of the site could also be addressed
[Due to size of full submission, please refer to attached document, along with individual representations to questions].
Summary and Conclusions:
Overall Bloor Homes is supportive of the proposed approach put forward within the SOCP and IIA documents and it is commended that a positive view is taken with regard to strategy option 4 and higher growth options.
Based on the information put forward within the consultation documents and the supporting evidence base we consider that strategy option 4 and the growth option should be pursued across the district in the interests of planning positively for the most sustainable patterns of growth across the district in its context with surrounding areas.
It is also considered that the Green Belt Study and Landscape Character, Sensitivity and Capacity study papers be immediately reviewed in the context of this to realise positive opportunities for growth particularly in the case of greenfield and green belt sites that may be suitable for release.
Land North of Rectory Road, Hawkwell has the opportunity to deliver on the council’s objectives in a sustainable location in Hawkwell consistent with the approach outlined within strategy option 4. The delivery of the site could contribute to addressing the housing needs of the district and local area whilst securing a new defensible green belt boundary and compensatory improvements, alongside additional public open space,
sustainable transport connections, biodiversity net gains, and sustainable infrastructure. Bloor Homes would also be happy to engage with the council further to discuss this opportunity.